10 Thing to Consider With Your Landscape
When embarking on a landscape project, what are the 10 things to consider when landscaping your property?
Well there are many, but we’ll try to give you my most popular 10 things. From there you can branch off into all directions, but these are the keys!
Think about what you have to start with first. What does the site look like; flat, rolling, wet, dry, wooded, or sun drenched? Are there any real problems to be considered?
What do you want to accomplish here? Do you need a deck, a larger patio, shade, a place to entertain, a play area for the kids, or a place for pets? You need to make a list of your wants and needs.
Work up a rough design on paper to indicate where you think things would look best, like you would if placing furniture in a room. Move them around a bit until you think you have to proper relationship of each element. Here you will want to think; do I have enough room to do what I want; should I scale down. Remember you are in the rough planning stage now be loose let your imagination run wild.
Now refine your design. Take some measurements of the space. Lay it out on paper to scale. How look up the measurements of the elements you think you might want to use. Make scale cut outs of each. Place the cut outs on your plan. Does everything fit and look good now that the sizes are correct? Ok good, it time for the next step.
Let’s check the soil. Does the soil feel ok to you? Do you know anything about soil? If not, have it checked out by the county agent. They can usually tell you what kind of soil you quickly. If it’s clay you had better find an amendment to loosen it or your plants and trees will struggle. The roots need to be able to wiggle through the soil to find water and nourishment. Maybe you’ll need to add fertilizer, compost, sand, etc. The county can tell you what you need and where to get it. Some plants want alkaline soil some want acid soil. You’ll have to decide what you are putting where before amending the soil.
Additional thoughts; how will you drain the new patio; will you need irrigation or can you take care of the watering with a hose; can you do the planting or will you need help; if there is a structure can you build it; what about maintenance will you be able to do it or will you hire someone; should you cut back to just what you can handle? All very important!
Sizing your plant and tree purchases; are you willing to wait and watch it grow over the years or do you need to have it look mature now? Maybe you only need part of it to look good now for an up-coming important event; just do that part and let the rest wait.
What’s it going to look like through the year? Is it important for the place to look good in Winter or Spring or Summer or Fall? Sure it should look good for all seasons. The evergreen plants and trees play an important part of the Winter landscape. Spring is easy so many things look their best in the Spring. But what about Summer? It’s usually hot and dry; look for plants that can handle these conditions and use some of these. And Fall when the leaves turn to colors; some plants are at their best in the Fall. You can look up the plants and trees on the internet now find out almost anything you need to know so you shouldn’t make a mistake.
Lighting; an important element but often overlooked. Lighting helps to set the scene; add interest; romance; safety; security. Now with the low-voltage products that are available many owners enjoy installing it themselves. Always consider lighting.
Finally pay attention to detail! Choose colors that looks good together; size plants for the spaces they will populate; use the correct plants for the conditions and exposer you have. Remember plants and trees are like people; no two are the same. Some like it hot; some cold; some wet; some dry; some are fussy some easy. Take your time and make it fun and if you need help we are always here.
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